Best Comeback

Which skater(s) had the most memorable/dramatic/successful comeback? I have listed as many as I could think of, but I have also included an "other" option so that anyone can feel free to discuss one I've failed to remember.

I chose G&G at the 1994 Olympics. They hadn't competed as amateurs in a major competition in nearly four years....and they came back better than ever. "Moonlight Sonata" was so mature, elegant and romantic and I was amazed at how they related to one another on the ice. They made some small errors but they still managed to deliver a program that was on par with the rest of the field technically (and that bested the rest artistry wise IMHO...except for maybe M&D who were brilliant as well).

For a 'comeback' I chose Tania Swechenko's skate at GPF 98. She had been very ill, and practically out of skating. Her clean skate amazed everyone including herself and brought tears to many eyes. It was not about medals.

I was considering voting for 'other', as Elena Berezhnaya's return to pairs skating after a near death experience was very inspiring, and truly amazing. However, I wanted to write about Tania, since she did not get the same amount of publicity as some other skaters.

Chen Lu's Oly 98 is also an impressive comeback. She had to deal with so much the previous year; she did not even qualify to skate her LP in 97 worlds. To win an Olympic bronze in 98 was a great comeback.

May I also mention Irina Slutskaya's comeback in 2004, after a very serious illness?

I voted for Torvill & Dean. They'd retired from eligible skating TEN YEARS before, and yet came back and won the British, European title, and another Olympic medal, giving a fantastic performance.

Honourable mentions also to Chen Lu in 98 and Nancy Kerrigan in 94. And also, one nobody's mentioned yet - Elena Sokolova in 03! She had only competed at Worlds once (I think), 5 years before, and was a nobody as far as the rankings were concerned. Then suddenly she's Russian champion and silver medallist at Euros and Worlds! Now THAT is a good comeback.

Paul Wylie in '92. No one--absolutely no one--would have guessed he would win the silver medal (and in my opinion, it should have been gold). That was just the boost he needed to establish himself as a crowd favorite and a successful pro. I still miss him.

Which skater(s) had the most memorable/dramatic/successful comeback? I have listed as many as I could think of, but I have also included an "other" option so that anyone can feel free to discuss one I've failed to remember.

I vote for LuChen. She deserved the bronze completely. After the disaster of 1997 which must have been heartbreaking since she was considered a major contendor before that and come to Nagano and skate so beautifully and honestly. I was so happy for her.

Paul Wylie in '92. No one--absolutely no one--would have guessed he would win the silver medal (and in my opinion, it should have been gold). That was just the boost he needed to establish himself as a crowd favorite and a successful pro. I still miss him.

I don't really consider Paul Wylie's performance a 'come back' because he was never on top. He had always struggled in competitions. He realized his potential in the 92 Olympics.

I chose Lu Chen. Her skate at the 98 Olympics stands out to me far more than Tara's, or Michelle's, for that matter. I don't cry much during figure skating, but the end of her program, when she was down on her knees, pounding the ice, well, I got a bit emotional.